Reinforcement bar support system

ABSTRACT

A reinforcement bar support system transfers forces perpendicular to a wall to a surrounding frame while permitting movement of the wall with respect to the frame in the direction of the plane of the wall and in the vertical direction. A bar is built into the wall. The apparatus includes a brace that is attached to the frame and a face that projects from the brace. Flanges extend outwardly from the face to receive the bar and limit movement of the bar with respect to the frame in the direction perpendicular to the wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The invention relates generally to a reinforcement bar supportsystem, and more particularly, to a system that transfers forcesperpendicular to a wall from a vertical reinforcing bar orpost-tensioning rod to a surrounding frame while permitting vertical andhorizontal movement of the wall with respect to the frame in thedirection of the plane of the wall.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Various types of anchors are known for stabilizing walls to otherwalls, floors, or beams. These anchors often allow for vertical movementof the wall with respect to another wall, floor or beam. Several fixedanchors for use with an overhead frame typically are embedded in masonrymortar head joints or bed joints, and therefore limit horizontalmovement of the wall in all directions with respect to the frame. Suchanchors can cause problems with forces in the plane of the wallresulting from seismic activity, volume changes due to temperaturedrying shrinkage, carbonation or other phenomenon. In particular, it hasbeen found that when such anchors are used, these forces can result inseparation of the wall from the surrounding frame.

[0005] In addition, there are anchor assemblies that are embedded intomortar joints or grout-filled cells in masonry that allow in-plane wallmovement while resisting forces perpendicular to the plane of the wall.These assemblies are used where there is no vertical reinforcement inthe wall that needs to be anchored at its ends.

[0006] Thus, it would be desirable to have an apparatus that can be usedto transmit forces in a direction perpendicular to a wall from the wallto the frame while permitting vertical and horizontal movement of thewall with respect to the frame when used in conjunction with areinforced or prestressed masonry wall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The present invention is an apparatus for attaching reinforced orprestressed masonry to its supporting frame or other structural elementby receiving and encapsulating a bar built into a wall. The apparatustransfers forces in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the wallfrom the wall to the frame or other structural element while allowingin-plane movement of the wall with respect to the frame. The apparatusgenerally includes a first means for attaching the apparatus to theframe and a second means connected to the first means for receiving thebar and limiting movement of the bar with respect to the frame in oneaxis while permitting movement of the bar in two other axes. Inparticular, the second means can limit movement of the bar in adirection perpendicular to the plane of the wall while permittingmovement in the plane of the wall.

[0008] More specifically, the apparatus of the present inventionpreferably includes a brace defining at least one adjustment slot, aface projecting from the brace and a first flange extending outwardlyfrom the face, the first flange limiting movement of the bar. The braceis attached to the frame. The brace preferably has two paralleladjustment slots. Preferably, the apparatus also includes a secondflange extending outwardly from the face opposite the first flange suchthat the first and second flanges define a bar receiving area. The firstand second flanges each can have one end connected to the face andopposite ends that are independent of one another. The first and secondflanges can be formed from the face. Alternatively, a separate pieceforming the flanges can be attached to the face. The first flangepreferably extends parallel to the second flange. Both the first andsecond flange can extend substantially perpendicular to the face. In analternative embodiment, the first flange can diverge from the secondflange, e.g., to define a truncated V-shaped bar receiving area Both thebrace and the face can be planar with the face perpendicular to thebrace.

[0009] In an alternative embodiment, the apparatus includes a firstplanar brace defining a first adjustment slot, a second planar bracedefining a second adjustment slot, a face projecting from the first andsecond braces and a first flange extending outwardly from the face. Thefirst flange limits movement of the bar. The first and second brace canbe coplanar. In this embodiment, the apparatus also can include a secondflange extending outwardly from the face opposite the first flange suchthat the first and second flanges define a bar receiving area. The firstand second flanges each have one end connected to the face and oppositeends that are independent of one another. The first and second flangescan be formed from the face. The first flange can extend substantiallyparallel to the second flange. The first and second flange can extendsubstantially perpendicular to the face. Alternatively, the first flangecan diverge from the second flange. The first and second flanges candefine a truncated V-shaped bar receiving area. The face preferably isperpendicular to the first and second braces.

[0010] In another alternative embodiment, the apparatus is used inconjunction with a plurality of bars. In this embodiment, the apparatusincludes a brace defining at least one adjustment slot, a faceprojecting from the brace and a plurality of flanges extending outwardlyfrom the face. The flanges limit movement of the bars. The brace canalternatively define a plurality of adjustment slots which can beparallel. Each successive pair of flanges can limit movement of arespective one of the bars. The first and second flange of at least oneof the successive pairs of flanges has one end connected to the face andopposite ends that are independent of one another. The first and secondflanges can be formed from the face. The first flange can extendsubstantially parallel to the second flange. The first and secondflanges can extend substantially perpendicular to the face.Alternatively, the first flange diverges from the second flange. In thiscase, the first and second flanges can define a truncated V-shaped barreceiving area. The brace and the face can be planar with the faceperpendicular to the brace. In other embodiments, three or four flangesmay be included. In alternative embodiments, the flanges extend in aplane perpendicular, rather than parallel, to the longitudinal axis ofthe bar.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a frame and masonry wall with theframe partially broken away to illustrate a reinforcement bar system;

[0012]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an apparatus of the presentinvention used in conjunction with a cell of a masonry wall having avertical post-tensioning bar;

[0013]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an apparatus of the presentinvention used in conjunction with a cell of a masonry wall having avertical reinforcement bar;

[0014]FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention;

[0015]FIG. 5 is a second alternative embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention; and

[0016]FIG. 6 is a third alternative embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0017] Referring first to FIG. 1, there is shown a masonry wall 10 madefrom a plurality of masonry units 12 and bounded by a frame 14. It isdesirable to transfer forces in a direction perpendicular to the planeof wall 10 to frame 14 through a vertical reinforcement bar orpost-tension rod. In FIG. 1, frame 14 is partially broken away to showan apparatus 16 in accordance with the present invention. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, apparatus 16 can be used in conjunction with a verticalpost-tensioning bar 18 or vertical reinforcement bar (or rebar) 20 totransfer forces perpendicular to the plane of wall 10 to frame 14.Apparatus 16 advantageously encaptures the vertical reinforcement bar 20and allows for vertical movement of wall 10 with respect to frame 14.Apparatus 16 also allows for in-plane movement of wall 10 with respectto frame 14.

[0018] Turning now to FIG. 2, there is shown apparatus 16 for use inconjunction with vertical post-tensioning bar 18. Apparatus 16 generallyincludes a brace 22 and a face 24. Brace 22 can include at least one,and preferably two, adjustment slots 26. Adjustment slots 26 receivesuitable attachment means, such as expansion anchors, powder drivenanchors or bolts or some other fastener, (not shown) for attaching brace22 to frame 14. An alternative method is to field weld brace 22 to asteel frame. Slots 26 preferably are parallel to each other to provideadditional adjustment in the plane of the wall. Face 24 includes atleast one, and preferably two, flanges 28 extending outwardly from face24 to define a bar receiving area 30. Flanges 28 limit movement of bar18 in a direction perpendicular to wall 10. Flanges 28 preferably areformed from face 24 and each flange 28 has a first end 32 connected toface 24 and a second end 34 independent of the other flange 28.Alternatively, flanges 28 can be part of a separate u-shaped channelthat is attached to a solid face 24 by welding for extra strength.Flanges 28 preferably extend substantially parallel to one another asshown in FIG. 2. However, other configurations of flanges 28 can beused, if desired. For example, flanges 28 can diverge from one another,e,g., to form a truncated V-shaped or trapezoid-shaped bar receivingarea 30 to accommodate different size bars 18 with the same apparatus16. Alternatively, a single flange can be used that is shaped so as todefine an appropriate bar receiving area.

[0019]FIG. 3 shows apparatus 16 in use in conjunction with a verticalrebar 20. Vertical rebar 20 can be used with a hollow masonry unit 36which has a cell 38 filled with concrete or grout 40. Apparatus 16 canbe identical to that depicted in FIG. 2. Apparatus 16 preferably is madefrom steel. Apparatus 16 should be of such size that face 24 fits withinthe width of the masonry unit. Also, apparatus 16 should not be largerthan the height of the masonry unit.

[0020] An alternative apparatus 16′ is shown in FIG. 4. Apparatus 16′generally includes a first planar brace 42, a second planar brace 44 anda face 46. Brace 42 defines a first adjustment slot 48 and brace 44defines a second adjustment slot 50. Brace 42 and brace 44 are coplanar.Face 46 is similar to face 24 and includes flanges 52 similar to flanges28.

[0021] Another alternative apparatus 16″ is shown in FIG. 5. Apparatus16″ generally includes a brace 54 and a face 56. Brace 54 can define atleast one adjustment slot 58. A plurality of flanges 60 extend outwardlyfrom face 56. Each successive pair of flanges 60 limits movement of onebar, such as post-tensioning bar 18 or rebar 20. Other flangeconfigurations also are possible. For example, instead of having twoflanges for each bar, there could be a total of N+1 flanges for every Nbars. Thus, three flanges could be used to receive two bars, with thefirst bar housed between the first and second flanges and the second barhoused between the second and third flanges.

[0022] Yet another alternative apparatus 16′″ is shown in FIG. 6.Apparatus 16′″ generally includes a brace 70 and a face 72. Brace 70 caninclude at least one adjustment slot 74. A plurality of flanges 76 a-dextend outwardly from face 72 in a direction generally perpendicular tothe previously described embodiments. Thus, flanges 76 a-d extend in aplane perpendicular, rather than parallel, to the longitudinal axis ofthe bar. Flanges 76 a-d define a bar receiving area 78. Flanges 76 a and76 b are generally coplanar. Flanges 76 c and 76 d also are generallycoplanar. As shown in FIG. 6, flanges 76 a and 76 c are on a first sideof bar receiving area 78, while flanges 76 b and 76 d are on an oppositeside of bar receiving area 78. Alternatively, three flanges can be used,with two flanges on one side and the third flange on the opposite sideof bar receiving area 78. Thus, for example, flange 76 c in FIG. 6 couldbe eliminated. In that case, flange 76 a preferably would be located ina lower position than that shown in FIG. 6. In particular, flange 76 awould be positioned higher than flange 76 d but lower than flange 76 b.

[0023] Now that several possible configurations of apparatus 16 havebeen demonstrated, a brief discussion of the method for building aframed wall using apparatus 16 will be given. Initially, the ceiling orframe 14 is installed. Masonry units 12 then are installed to beginconstruction of wall 10 and rebars 20 (or post-tensioning bars 18) areinserted. Rebars 20 (or post-tensioning bars 18) are installed duringthe construction of the wall and extend almost to the bottom of frame 14so that as frame 14 deflects downwardly there will be no interference.Generally, rebar 20 (or post-tensioning bar 18) extends one-half of theheight of a masonry unit above the next to last unit to be installed.Wall 10 is built up short of its full height near apparatus 16.Apparatus 16 is then attached to frame 14 by placing anchors or boltsthrough adjustment slots 26 or welding apparatus 16 to frame 14.Apparatus 16 is adjusted to place flanges 28 around rebar 20. Themasonry unit 12 directly below brace 22 is then inserted. Uponcompletion of the construction of wall 10, apparatus 16 serves totransfer forces in a direction perpendicular to wall 10 to frame 14,while allowing wall 10 to sag and deflect vertically as well as to movein the plane of wall 10 with respect to frame 14.

[0024] Whereas the present invention has been described with respect tospecific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various changesand modifications will be suggested to one skilled in the art and it isintended that the invention encompass such changes and modifications asfall within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus to be attached to a frame and forreceiving a bar built into a wall defining a plane, comprising: firstmeans for attaching the apparatus to the frame; second means connectedto said first means for receiving the bar and limiting movement of thebar with respect to the frame in one axis while permitting movement ofthe bar in two axes.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said secondmeans limits movement of the bar with respect to the frame in adirection perpendicular to the plane of the wall while permittingmovement in the plane of the wall.
 3. An apparatus to be attached to aframe and for receiving a bar, comprising: a brace defining at least oneadjustment slot; a face projecting from said brace; and a first flangeextending outwardly from said face, said first flange limiting movementof the bar.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said brace defines twoparallel adjustment slots.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3 furthercomprising a second flange extending outwardly from said face oppositesaid first flange, such that said first flange and said second flangedefine a bar receiving area.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein saidfirst and second flanges each has one end connected to said face andopposite ends that are independent of one another.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 6 wherein said first and second flanges are formed from said face.8. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first and second flanges areattached to said face.
 9. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said firstflange extends substantially parallel to said second flange.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 9 wherein each of said first flange and said secondflange extends in a plane parallel to a longitudinal axis of the bar.11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein each of said first flange and saidsecond flange extends in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axisof the bar.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said first flange andsaid second flange extend substantially perpendicular to said face. 13.The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said first flange diverges from saidsecond flange.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said first flangeand said second flange define a truncated V-shaped bar receiving area.15. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said brace is planar.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 15 wherein said face is planar.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 16 wherein said face is perpendicular to said brace.
 18. Anapparatus to be attached to a frame and for receiving a bar, comprising:a first planar brace defining a first adjustment slot; a second planarbrace defining a second adjustment slot, said second brace beingcoplanar with said first brace; a face projecting from said first andsecond braces; and a first flange extending outwardly from said face,said first flange limiting the movement of the bar.
 19. The apparatus ofclaim 18 further comprising a second flange extending outwardly fromsaid face opposite said first flange, such that said first flange andsaid second flange define a bar receiving area.
 20. The apparatus ofclaim 19 wherein said first and second flanges each have one endconnected to said face and opposite ends that are independent of oneanother.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said first and secondflanges are formed from said face.
 22. The apparatus of claim 20 whereinsaid first and second flanges are attached to said face.
 23. Theapparatus of claim 20 wherein said first flange extends substantiallyparallel to said second flange.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23 whereineach of said first flange and said second flange extends in a planeparallel to a longitudinal axis of the bar.
 25. The apparatus of claim23 wherein each of said first flange and said second flange extends in aplane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bar.
 26. Theapparatus of claim 23 wherein said first flange and said second flangeextend substantially perpendicular to said face.
 27. The apparatus ofclaim 20 wherein said first flange diverges from said second flange. 28.The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said first flange and said secondflange define a truncated V-shaped bar receiving area.
 29. The apparatusof claim 18 wherein said face is perpendicular to said first and secondbraces.
 30. An apparatus to be attached to a frame and for receiving aplurality of bars, comprising: a brace defining at least one adjustmentslot; a face projecting from said brace; and a plurality of flangesextending outwardly from said face, said flanges limiting movement ofthe bars.
 31. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said brace defines aplurality of parallel adjustment slots.
 32. The apparatus of claim 30wherein each successive pair of said flanges limits movement of arespective one of the bars.
 33. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein afirst and second flange of one of said successive pairs of flanges eachhas one end connected to said face and opposite ends that areindependent of one another.
 34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein saidfirst and second flanges are formed from said face.
 35. The apparatus ofclaim 33 wherein said first and second flanges are attached to saidface.
 36. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said first flange extendssubstantially parallel to said second flange.
 37. The apparatus of claim36 wherein each of said first flange and said second flange extends in aplane parallel to a longitudinal axis of the bar.
 38. The apparatus ofclaim 36 wherein each of said first flange and said second flangeextends in a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bar. 39.The apparatus of claim 36 wherein said first flange and said secondflange extend substantially perpendicular to said face.
 40. Theapparatus of claim 33 wherein said first flange diverges from saidsecond flange.
 41. The apparatus of claim 40 wherein said first flangeand said second flange define a truncated V-shaped bar receiving area.42. The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said brace is planar.
 43. Theapparatus of claim 42 wherein said face is planar.
 44. The apparatus ofclaim 43 wherein said face is perpendicular to said brace.
 45. Anapparatus to be attached to a frame and for receiving a bar built into awall, comprising: a brace; means for attaching said brace to the frame;a face projecting from said brace; a first pair of flanges extendingfrom said face, said first pair of flanges being generally coplanar; anda second pair of flanges extending from said face, said second pair offlanges being generally coplanar; wherein said first pair of flanges andsaid second pair of flanges together define a bar receiving area andlimit movement of the bar in a direction perpendicular to the wall. 46.An apparatus to be attached to a frame and for receiving a bar builtinto a wall, comprising: a brace; means for attaching said brace to theframe; a face projecting from said brace; and a first flange, a secondflange and a third flange, all extending outwardly from said face anddefining a bar receiving area; wherein said first flange and said secondflange are on a first side of said bar receiving area and said thirdflange is on a second side, opposite said first side, of said barreceiving area.
 47. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein said third flangeis positioned higher than said first flange and lower than said secondflange.